Ex-NUFC striker takes swipe at Joelinton - Uncalled for after 3 much improved displays

Former Newcastle striker and forgotten man Darren Huckerby has taken a swipe at our record signing Joelinton - labelling the Brazilian a "shambles" of a signing.

This comes in the wake of our penalty shoot-out win over Newport last night - where Joelinton got one assist and should’ve really had another if not for a stunning last ditch block to deny Ryan Fraser - despite having just 30 minutes on the field.

It’s certainly a strange time to criticise Joelinton. There’s admittedly been times where we’ve been clutching at straws to draw positives from his performances, and his poor goal tally really speaks for himself.

However, he’s been one of our best performers in our last three games. His goals were excellently taken against Morecambe, his showing against Tottenham was industrious and explosive and his impact last night was noticeable - offering more in half an hour than the likes of Carroll or Almiron did all night.

It’s definitely not the time to be lumping the criticism back on him - even if his penalty miss could’ve cost us.

I would have also expected Huckerby to be far more sympathetic to Joelinton’s situation - considering he too was brought to Newcastle as a highly-rated young player and really struggled to bed in!

Joelinton has been a ‘shambles singing’ as an out and out striker, but it’s shocking to criticise him at the moment; especially when he’s playing so well in a more natural position.

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